The Chicago Cubs have officially announced their Game 1 starter for the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. Left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd, who started in Tuesday’s Wild Card series opener against the San Diego Padres, has been named as Chicago’s Game 1 starter against Milwaukee.
Boyd is going on short rest, but he wasn’t overly taxed in his 4.1 innings of work against the Padres. The lefty gave up one run on four hits and a walk before he was taken out in the fifth inning with 58 pitches under his belt. Craig Counsell had Boyd warming up in the ninth inning as Brad Keller was laboring, trying to protect a 3-1 lead after giving up a leadoff home run. Ultimately, Counsell went to Andrew Kittredge to get the final two outs, sending the Cubs to the NLDS.
Meanwhile, the Brewers will counter with right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta in Game 1 against the Cubs.
Boyd started two times against the Brewers in the regular season.
Matthew Boyd vs. Brewers in 2025
7/28: 5 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 2 K
8/19: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 1 HR, 3 BB, 3 K
He wasn’t exactly sharp in either start, struggling with walks that led to relatively early exits for Boyd in each start. The Cubs went 1-1 on those two games that Boyd started against the Brewers.
As for Peralta, he started four times against the Cubs this year and although he did have a couple great outings the Cubs were able to jump on him more than ever before.
Freddy Peralta vs. Cubs in 2025
5/4: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
6/19: 5 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 6 K
7/30: 4 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 1 HR, 4 BB, 3 K
8/18: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
These Cubs are very familiar with Peralta, who will throw a lot of pitches, can get wild, but will also miss a lot of bats with his nasty repertoire.
A few matchups to keep an eye on for the Cubs. Pete Crow-Armstrong, who had a three-hit performance on Thursday, is 5-for-11, with a home run and double against Peralta. Kyle Tucker was 3-for-8 in the last two games against the Padres has also fared well against Peralta throughout his career, going 5-for-11, with four walks.
On the flip side, Michael Busch, Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki and Dansby Swanson all have poor numbers against Peralta, combining to go 14-for-120, facing the Brewers’ ace.
